An early morning inferno on Saturday, December 16th destroyed over Thirty businesses around the Roadblock area of Jalingo, Taraba State capital. For some of the traders, the fire did not only burn their wares to ashes but has also laid to waste their dreams and several years of labour. For others, giving up is not an option and they are defying the odds to get back on their feets, despite the daunting challenges.
Roadblock is one of the busiest spots in Jalingo and consequently attracts a lot of businesses including shops for vehicle spare parts, food vendors, boutiques, phone accessories, provision shops and sellers of stale clothes known as Okrika. And the Okrika business is a major feature of the Roadblock business zone.
As such, residents woke up to a shock when shops in the area went up in flames as early as 6am when most of the shop owners were yet to turn up for business of the day.
A resident, Terna Chikpa who witnessed the sad incident told our Correspondent that the sight of the flames and bellowing smoke that nearly engulfed the sky remains a harrowing memory.
"I woke up early and came to Roadblock to get something at one of the shops on the other side, only to hear people shouting 'fire fire' and I quickly ran to the direction. To my dismay, there was fire everywhere. You know that they sell clothes there and have stores for huge bails of clothes. So the fire was spreading at an alarming rate and there was absolute pandemonium.
"While some people were trying to put out the fire, others were trying to salvage what could still be salvaged and move things from other shops that were very close. In the midst of these chaos, some hoodlums took advantage and were busy stealing whatever they could. I recall one young man, apparently he owns one of the shops and never knew what was happening until he got to the scene. He could not even go close to the chaos and slumped and was crying uncontrollably. It was a very sad day and the level of loses is unimaginable" Chikpa said.
Muhammad Musa, leader of the business zone and Caretaker of the the shopping complex told our Correspondent that "the zone is divided into three sections including those selling clothes, those selling fuel, gas and engine oils and those selling general provisions.
"We have over Thirty shops here and Twelve of them were completely burnt. Some of the shops were divided to accommodate more than one business. By the time I arrived, most of the shops were already gone. Most of the shops that were not affected by the fire got looted by people who should have been helping to put out the fire".
For Kabeer Auwal, a native of Plateau State who has been in Taraba almost all his life, that fateful Saturday morning will not be forgotten in a hurry.
According to Auwal, the day started like every other day as he went out for his routine exercise after his morning prayers only to be caught in the confusion of yelling and crying as he was approaching the Roadblock area where he stays and trades.
"I went out for juggling so when I was coming back, that was when the fire started. I was very close to the roundabout when people started showing and then I saw the fire. We tried to put it out but the fire kept spreading to more and more shops. The worst of it was that, even the items we were managing to bring out, others were trying to steal them. It was very stressful.
"My shop was not affected by the fire directly but most of my wares were stolen. We had to bring out the goods in the shop so that even if the shop catches fire, we will save some of my wares. In the process, the show glasses and shelves all got destroyed and then the wares we managed to salvage were stolen. I was there watching as my shop was looted by hoodlums who took advantage of the situation".
According to Auwal, he took a loan sometime in early November to buy stock in bulk for the Christmas season only to lose it all to the hoodlums. Despite the ugly development, Auwal is so focused to move on and is putting together his pieces.
"We have a local bam that we do. It usually runs for two years. I took a loan of of almost Two Million Naira last month to buy stock because of this festive season. I was yet to open most of my stock when this incident happened. Most of the goods were stolen. Right now, I am confused because even my savings were added to buy stock. Ordinarily, people come from other places to pick goods from my shop to go and sell. Now almost everything is gone.
"For me, I know that there is nothing else I can do. The little things that I escaped with are the ones you see under the umbrella here. I have started all over again. I have a loan to pay and a family to take care of. So I can not sit back whining. I have to move on. That is what I am doing now. I am reduced back to where I was years ago but I won't despise a fresh beginning. The goal is to get where we are going".
The story of Auwal is a reflection of the sorry situation of most of the traders who are compelled to start all over again should they chose not to give in to self pity.
Muhammad Sani lost over half a Million Naira cash to the inferno and property worth over Seven Million Naira.
"Usually, I have a saving box in my office that i usually keep some money inside everyday. I have no idea how much exactly was inside bit the last time I did that, I got close to a Million Naira. This time, the box was in my shop and some cash from the sales I made and was yet to deposit the money at the bank. All of it got burnt. My farm produce and other goods worth over Ten Million Naira all got burnt.
"Right now, you see me coming out here because staying at home is killing me. When I come here, I meet with my friends and we talk and laugh and I am able to put what behind me. I have started buying grains for storage with the little savings I have at the bank so that when I sell next year, I will be able to restock my shop a bit and start all over again. It is not funny at all".
Adamu Umar and Sani Usman both operate separate shops selling mobile phone accessories and providing POS services. Jointly, they lost over Five million Naira worth of goods to the inferno.
According to Adamu, "usually, we have more busy during the Christmas season so we buy stock in bulk for the season. My goods arrived here exactly one week when that Fier happened. Everything in the shop was consumed by the fire. As it is now, I don't even know where to start from. What you see on this table now is the goods I called my supplier to send for me so that I will have something on ground. I don't have any other business apart from this Soni just have to keep going. I hope that the government will see our plight and come to our aid otherwise, it is very tough for us".
While the fire remains a mystery and the devastation a painful memory especially for those who were directly affected, the resilience and die-hard spirit of the traders, most of whom are doggedly pushing to start all over is inspiring and admirable.
Muhammed Bello opened his shop less than Two months selling new clothes and his major target was the Christmas season. His stock were burnt to ashes, save for a few clothes that were rescued.
"This is a new shop. Before they were selling drinks here but the business was not moving so I decided to take the shop and start selling new clothes less than Two months ago. I got a lot of new and trending clothes that just came in. I was yet to open some of the packages. No almost everything is gone.
"Before I started my shop, I was selling Okrika and doing storage of grains. That was how I got money to start my shop. I also joined Adashe with some of my friends and they allowed me to collect it first since I wanted to open the shop. Now I don't know how to pay the Adashe and manage my home as it stands. It is the few clothes that were rescued that you see on the table here. This is now my shop. I hope to run it like this and expand with time because, I can't think of how to raise any reasonable amount of money to start up again".
The Saturday morning inferno consumed the wares and businesses of most of the traders who were directly or indirectly affected. The hoodlums feared on the misfortune of the traders. What the elements couldn't do apparently, is to crush the spirit of the traders as they seem fully determined to get up and move on despite the heavy blow.
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